Virginia Zielke

Virginia Zielke, 82, of Missoula, passed away in peace at her home at Grizzly Peak Retirement Community on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013. Her family members had gathered to be at her side days before, to help her enter into hospice care in her home after a brief hospitalization for a chronic illness. Her pet Schnauzer and longtime companion Maggie was at her side to bring comfort as well.

Virginia's family would like to thank the wonderful and gifted care providers at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula Elder Care and Rocky Mountain Hospice who made her comfortable during this difficult period. They are all truly amazing, selfless people, tirelessly devoted to the well-being of others.

Mrs. Zielke was born Feb. 16, 1931, in Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated from Needham High School in 1948. She was the daughter of Dorothy Lind and Lawrence Burbank. After graduation, she worked in a local bank, where she met her first husband John Fluke. After marriage, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where her two sons Kim and Lee were born. A job transfer moved everyone to Des Moines, Iowa, where her two daughters Karen and Linda were born. In 1970, another transfer resulted in a move to Billings.

Mrs. Zielke was preceded in death by two husbands, John L. Fluke and Richard "Dick" Zielke; daughter, Linda; and brother, Russell Burbank. She is survived by her brother, Gregory Burbank of Fort Meyers, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Tim Harlan of Thompson Falls; son and daughter-in-law, Kim and Kil Cha Fluke of Cypress, Texas; and son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Brenda Fluke of Charlotte, N.C.; plus four grandchildren, Justin Harlan of Orono, Maine, Eric Harlan of San Diego, Jen Grant of Atlanta and Alyssa Fluke of Charlotte, N.C.

Virginia was a loving mother who enjoyed raising her family. Until her later years, she remained active in church and volunteer activities, and for several years she worked part time as a secretary at the Billings YMCA. She loved crafts, crossword puzzle, and board games. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her husband Richard, and at retirement they relocated to south Texas, where she continued to reside after his death. In 2006, she returned to Montana to be closer to family. In her final years, she cherished the freedom of riding her scooter around her neighborhood with her dog Maggie.

Arrangements are in care of Cremation & Burial Society of the Rockies. The family plans a graveside service at the Bethlehem Mennonite Church in Bloomfield at a future date.

Read Virginia Zielke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.